Oklahoma Gardening History and Past Hosts

Past Hosts
Maxson, first host of Oklahoma Gardening Kays, 2nd host of Oklahoma Gardening
Joe Maxson, first host of Oklahoma Gardening Raymond Kays, hosted the show for 5 yrs.
In 1975, the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA) joined with Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service horticulturist Joe Maxson to produce a half-hour program called Oklahoma Gardening. Joe carried plants grown at Oklahoma State University to OETA's Oklahoma City studios, where he demonstrated basic gardening techniques. Joe was soon followed by horticulture professor Raymond Kays, who hosted the show for five years.

In 1980, Extension horticulturist Ray Campbell began hosting Oklahoma Gardening from his backyard in Stillwater, since advances in video technology allowed the show to be taped in advance.

When horticulture professor Paul Mitchell became host in 1986, the show featured gardens and arboretums across the state. That year, Oklahoma Gardening was given a parcel of land at OBGA west of the OSU campus in Stillwater.
Ray Campbell, OKG host from 1980-1985. Paul Mitchell, 1986 OKG host
Ray Campbell, OKG host from 1980-1985. Paul Mitchell, 1986 OKG host
Sue Gray, Extension Horticulturist Jim Gallott, Extension horticulturist
Sue Gray and Jim Gallott, 1987 hosts, converted research plot into demonstration gardens teaching Oklahomans gardening & horticulture concepts.

In 1987, new hosts Sue Gray and Jim Gallott, both Extension horticulturists, converted this overgrown research plot into demonstration gardens, teaching viewers how to build raised beds, plant a fruit orchard, install a new lawn, design flower beds and much more.

Steve Dobbs, Extension consumer horticulturist, took over as the show's seventh host in 1990 and a full-time garden manager, Allen Jobes was hired. During Steve's tenure as host of Oklahoma Gardening, he established the OBGA Ambassadors, a volunteer group to assist with the planting and promotion of the studio gardens. An irrigation system, formal garden, shade-loving perennial flower beds, water gardens, a butterfly garden and the garden railway were added.
In 1995, Sue Gray took over as interim host of Oklahoma Gardening and in 1996 Steve Owens became the studio gardens manager and Brenda Simons became the host of Oklahoma Gardening. David Hillock came on board as a consumer horticulturist in 1997. Additions to the studio gardens in 1997 included an alpine rock garden and a Japanese Tea Ceremony garden. With her marriage in 1999, Brenda's name changed to Brenda Sanders. A Children's Educational garden and a larger Butterfly garden were installed in 1999.

Oklahoma Gardening celebrated it's 25th anniversary in 2000. The 2000 season also saw the addition of a Bog garden and the construction of a larger water garden.
Steve Dobbs, OKG host from 1990 to 1995.
 Brenda Sanders, 1997 to 2000 host.
Steve Dobbs, established the OBGA Ambassador volunteer program. Brenda Simons Sander, 1997-2000 host.
 
Steve Owens
  Steve Owens, host of OKG from 2001-2006.
Steve Owens became the ninth host of Oklahoma Gardening in May of 2001 with Laura Payne later becoming the OKG Garden Manager. Additions to the OKG studio gardens included the Japanese garden, the patio garden, the chicken moat, the lotus garden, sun perennial garden, and the Oklahoma Proven garden. The herb garden was also redesigned during this time. Steve loves all aspects of gardening and has a special interest in herbaceous ornamentals and garden design.